G.—B.

2

schools where Maori pupils are being educated. The Educational Committee is of opinion that the education of the child until it receives Matriculation should be the concern of the parents or guardian of the scholar. After the youth has proved his intellectual superiority, then the Board's assistance should be available to those parents who are unable themselves to undertake the cost of fitting the youth for what he is best qualified. The Hospital Department report pays a tribute to the remarkable work of the Medical Superintendent of King George V Hospital (Dr. Wallis) and his staff in the way of breaking down the superstitious dread and aversion of most Maoris to science of medicine and healing. This, it is said, will do much to lessen and eradicate the belief in the Maori tohunga. The Board has been able not only to render its own people service by special arrangements for treatment in the hospitals and by medical men, and by securing adequate treatment in necessitous cases, but has also assisted the local hospital authorities in recovering hospital fees from those Maoris who were in a position to pay. Payments amounting to £374 6s. Bd. were authorized for the year. The Maori Arts Department recommends the establishment of a school of Maori arts in the Rotorua district. A contract has been entered into to erect a suitable war memorial. It also recommends the erection of a Maori hostel at Rotorua. The report further shows that of a sum of £875 advanced by way of assistance to Natives to tide them over difficulties, a sum of £338 was repaid within the year. This included a case of helping a Native into a business for which he was suitable. The Arawas at important meetings had agreed that a certain sum should be set aside for assistance for Maori soldiers. The Maori soldier members on the Board decided the amount be not claimed, but should be earmarked for assistance for farming operations, in which preference as far as possible might be given to soldier settlers. One matter that the Board asks is that facilities might be given it that their interests should as soon as possible be consolidated. This desire had been anticipated by the necessary application having been filed, and a Judge allotted to the task of seeing it carried through.

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